Hunter Smith finally got the monkey off his back by scoring – not just his first as a LaSalle Viper – but the game-winning goal in the 3-2 win over the St. Mary’s Lincolns.

Coming into the game with a four-game losing streak, the Vipers looked to end it on home ice.

“Our message to the guys was when times are tough you got to work hard and then you got to work harder. You’ve got to keep that belief,” LaSalle Vipers head coach John Nelson said. “We promised them if they kept it up that it would come through for them and tonight they showed that perseverance. We’re really happy for them – it’s a load off.”

Hard work paid off for LaSalle Wednesday night at the Vollmer Centre.

“It was really just a team effort tonight. We knew we had the streak but we are not a last place team and we all know that. It was good battling through it and finally getting those two points,” Vipers goaltender Jordan Dekort said.

Vipers forward Eric Noel opened up the scoring eight minutes into the first period, and then defenceman Chad Shepley netted the second goal from a quick pass from Dylan Seguin at the 16 minute mark.

Though, LaSalle ran into trouble in the second period with 20 penalty minutes on 9 infractions. Vipers forward Weston Gaul received a five-minute penalty on a major for head contact. Then, Sheply received a game misconduct for head contact and Dylan Denomme also received a game misconduct for fighting. The Lincolns finished the game with only one power-play goal in six opportunities.

The third period, however, was a different story entirely.

Three minutes into the third period, Smith was hooked on a breakaway and was given a penalty shot opportunity.

He didn’t disappoint.

“The goalie came out to challenge and I was scared I was going to have to deke. He kind of backed off so I went upstairs with it,” Smith said. “I worked hard in the first period and threw the body, and it opened up some space for me. I think the hard work paid off and that is what led to my goal.”

The Vipers 6-foot-5 forward was given a loud applause from the crowd and praises from his teammates for scoring his first goal in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

“It’s great for Smitty. We’re all pulling for Smitty,” Nelson said. “He’s got to believe in himself and he has to that skill level, and mind set, to the next level. He showed that tonight that when he brings that to the next level how a physical presence he could be. He can score goals, he can set up plays, he can pass the puck and as a young guy he needs to learn the consistency part of the game. I think he learned a valuable lesson.”

The Vipers didn’t record one penalty in the third period. The last time they did that was back on Oct. 8 when they played the Buffalo Jr. Blades.

Even though the Lincolns outshot the Vipers 37-35, they couldn’t get the tying goal past Dekort who finished the game with 35 saves.

“If we have to play one-goal games all the way through the rest of the year and that is going to prepare us for playoff hockey, then I’m okay with that,” said Nelson. “I think it’s a great sign that we’re in those games. It’s showing our goaltending is really good, it’s showing our defence is getting better, and we’re showing our forward a taking their defensive responsibilities with a lot more importance to it.”

The 9-12-2 Vipers are tied with the Lambton Shores Predators for last place in the Western Conference, but have two games in hand. Teammates said the game on Sunday against the Predators is a crucial win.

“We all know what we have to do. Honestly, we’re tired of losing,” Dekort said. “And today we just thought – bear down for the third period and get that slump over with. Let’s win some games now.”

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